The goal of RGGI is to bringing the northeast region of the United States together to discuss a regional cap-and-trade program that deals with carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gasses emissions that are released from their power plants. The cap and trade program works by allowing a certain amount of emissions from each company, but if a company has been able to limit its emissions and has not reached the maximum level allowed, they are able to sell the permits for the emissions to companies who cannot keep within their maximum allowance for emissions Regional , RGGI will cap the program by taking the average emission between the years of to and not allowing a greater amount than this average to occur from to Although there is much evidence that the Bush administration does not truly care about the environment, they have made a few contributions that are beneficial to the environment.
There are two ways in which debt for nature swaps can occur. The first way is through bilateral debt swap, which occurs between the two governments. The second way is through commercial debt swap, this occurs when a nongovernmental organization purchases the debt at a discount from the creditor government. The nongovernmental organization then organizes the conservation project with the debtor government.
World Wildlife , Biodiversity is an issue that affects everyone and therefore everyone should be aware of their effect on biodiversity.
As biodiversity decreases on earth, so do the chances of human survival. Therefore, it is important to educate people on living in equilibrium with the environment.
It is also important to make sure that the government is making laws that will ensure biodiversity for the future and not focus on shortsighted economics. If humans become extinct, it will likely be a result of their own action or lack of action.
Hopefully humans will realize this before it is too late. Climate Change and Biodiversity. Dobson, A. Conservation and Biodiversity. New York : Scientific American Library. Effects : Habitat Degradation, Loss, and Fragmentation. Eldredge , N. Life in the Balance. Kyoto Protocol A.
Kyoto Protocol B. Mapping Human Impacts On the Biosphere. Noss , R. LaRoe , and J. Retrieved September 6, , from U. Regional Green House Initiative. Secretariat of Convention of Biological Diversity. Sherbinin , A. Wackernagel, M. Schulz, D. Deumling, A. Linares, M. Jenkins, V. Kapos, C. Monfreda, J. Loh, N. Myers, R. Norgaard, and J. Tracking the Ecological Overshoot of the Human Economy.
PNAS , 99 14 , Wetsone , G. Cousin, R. Perks, and W. Estimates of species loss are, without a doubt, staggering. Others have estimated that as many as , species are lost each year. But, extinctions—even mass extinction events—are not new. Though the current trend is caused, undeniably, by human action—through poaching, habitat destruction, pollution, and anthropogenic climate change, among others—mass reductions in biodiversity can and have occurred without human interference.
The question then, is what does humanity lose when global biodiversity is significantly reduced? Simply: a lot. Here are six significant human problems caused by reduced biodiversity.
Topping the list, of course, is the monetary value of biodiversity around the world. In terms of ecosystem services—functions like pollination, irrigation, soil reclamation, and other things that would have to be paid for if nature couldn't take care of it on its own—the value of global biodiversity has been estimated in the trillions. Reductions in biodiversity do not only occur during deforestation or through poaching.
The introduction of new species is another culprit. In much of the world, this is happening on farms, too, where foreign breeds of cattle are being imported, pushing out natives.
This means that the world's livestock population is becoming increasingly narrow and more vulnerable to disease, drought, and changes in climate, leading to an overall reduction in food security. The loss of biodiversity has two significant impacts on human health and the spread of disease. First, it increases the number of disease-carrying animals in local populations. At the same time, habitat fragmentation brings humans in closer and more frequent contact with these disease-carrying species.
You can help us remain free and independant as well as to develop new ways to communicate science by becoming a Patron! Next Question. Why is biodiversity loss a concern? Biodiversity, ecosystem functioning, ecosystem services, and drivers of change.
Native wildflowers still dominate this prairie-like California serpentine grassland. This material is available primarily for archival purposes. Telephone numbers or other contact information may be out of date; please see current contact information at media contacts.
Loss of biodiversity appears to affect ecosystems as much as climate change, pollution and other major forms of environmental stress, according to results of a new study by an international research team. The study is the first comprehensive effort to directly compare the effects of biological diversity loss to the anticipated effects of a host of other human-caused environmental changes.
The results, published in this week's issue of the journal Nature , highlight the need for stronger local, national and international efforts to protect biodiversity and the benefits it provides, according to the researchers, who are based at nine institutions in the United States, Canada and Sweden. Studies over the last two decades demonstrated that more biologically diverse ecosystems are more productive.
As a result, there has been growing concern that the very high rates of modern extinctions--due to habitat loss, overharvesting and other human-caused environmental changes--could reduce nature's ability to provide goods and services such as food, clean water and a stable climate. Until now, it's been unclear how biodiversity losses stack up against other human-caused environmental changes that affect ecosystem health and productivity.
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